Walk through in setting up wireless networking with Linux

Introduction

Most wireless adapters are not designed for use in Linux and depend on non-free propriety drivers and firmware. This inevitably leads to problems. Sometimes immediately and more often down the line with an upgrade or distribution switch. Few "Linux" compatible or supported adapters are actually compatible with all "Linux" distributions and versions. Misleading information from users and manufacturers is abundant. The only reliable source currently for an 802.11N USB Wifi adapter with a proper chipset is ThinkPenguin.com. MiniPCI adapters are slightly easier to find. See FSF for additional info on specific chipsets

Steps
(10 total)

1

Plug your router into your internet socket

2

Go to your browser and type in address

192.168.0.1 or whichever address the router's web server is listening.

3

Enter your username and password from your router.

often "admin" and "admin" then your internet service provider.

4

Enable wireless and set your encryption.

WEP or WPA and type a recognizable/memorable passkey.

5

Your wireless adapter should be detected automatically by your distribution.

6

Type

sudo lshw to list hardware (or lspci or lsusb)

7

If it's not there you will need to lsmod and modprobe

Modules are like drivers

8

Typing iwconfig into terminal can determain what wireless network interfaces have been detected.

If it isn't and your using Linux Mint, try MintWifi

9

You may have to use ndiswrapper and your Windows driver.

10

if your using KDE, consider KWiFiManager and click "scan for networks".

Conclusion

If all goes well all you need to finish up is to choose your Encryption (WEP or WPA) and enter your passkey.

A vendor claims Ciscos hardware routers would out perform Sophos firewalls as gateway devices. Each vendor claims their stuff is superior. What do you think, is the hardware advantage enough to overcome the extra hop/processing cost?